Through Dec. 31, Buchanan spent $3.56 million on his re-election campaign, compared to almost $1.45 million spent by Fitzgerald.

In the Nov. 6 election, Buchanan was re-elected to a fourth term in Congress, receiving 53.6 percent of the vote, compared to 46.4 percent for Fitzgerald.

The fund-raising gap between the two candidates was smaller than the spending gap, in part because of Fitzgerald's fund-raising prowess and in part because Buchanan started the campaign with cash raised in prior years and because he loaned his campaign $500,000.

Buchanan collected more than $2.7 million in contributions, and Fitzgerald raised almost $1.45 million. At the end of the year, Buchanan's campaign finished with $125,627 in cash on hand, and $250,000 in debt, according to the FEC filings.

The filings reveal that Fitzgerald raised more than Buchanan from individual donors. Fitzgerald collected $1,112,288 from individuals, while Buchanan raised $1,082,753.

Buchanan made up the difference, and then some, with almost $1.09 million in donations from political action and other committees. Fitzgerald reported more than $335,000 in contributions from PACs and other committees.

1 comment:

Voters you have to understand whom you are dealing with. Vern is a used car salesman. When has anyone ever gotten a fair deal from a used car salesman. (how fast we seen to forget) a USED CAR SALESMAN wants one thing and only one thing: to make as much off you that he can get. They always tell you one thing and then when you return they forgot what they told you.

Lobby money and padding his own pockets at your expense is what Vern cares about. Look at his voting record. When has he voted for you the voter. Give me just one vote that has benefited the voters or consumers in his district. Show me one action or vote that has fulfilled his campaign promises.

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Political Watch

Political Watch is keeping a closer eye on local and state government and on politics, from a Manatee County perspective. Marc R. Masferrer is metro/online editor for the Bradenton Herald. Follow him on Twitter @MRMasferrer or email:mmasferrer@bradenton.com